2011 NFL Draft: Syracuse Players Wait And See

The mocks drafts are all in. The expectations have been set. The meetings and workouts are over. Mel Kiper has only a few days before he is re-frozen in carbonite for six months.

The 2011 NFL Draft is tonight and, although no Syracuse players should expect to hear their names called tonight, there's a good chance a few of them will hear their names called over the next three days.

It's the whole sitting around and waiting thing that's the frustrating part.

Delone Carter: "I’m trying not to think about it. I’m just focused on working out and letting whatever happens happen...I don’t have any exact round that I could say I’ve got a feeling for, but I’ve got a feeling someone’s going to pick me somewhere."

Doug Hogue: "I’m unsure, that’s the thing about it...The draft is crazy. You don’t know … the last-minute switches. That’s what I’m stressing about."

Carter and Hogue, along with Ryan Bartholomew, Derrell Smith and Rob Long have some kind of chance of hearing their name's called. But what about the Syracuse seniors who almost certainly won't hear their names this weekend? How are they handling it?

Jose Cruz might be concerned about his own future but he's going to be watching to cheer on his teammates.

"I’m going to be watching the draft regardless," said Cruz, who hopes to get a chance as an undrafted free agent. "I’m watching the draft to cheer for my teammates, because I want every one of them to get drafted."

"It’s really important to me, just because I can’t see myself doing anything else," he said. "And it’s important financially, because me and my family, we struggle financially."

The history of Syracuse players in the NFL Draft is a lengthy one full of great names. Hopefully, we'll get to add a bunch more this weekend.

In the meantime, check out SB Nation's final mock draft and check here for the latest news & rumors.